A Pledge of Brotherhood

“Third Brother…” I murmured, anxiously checking Yang Laoer’s pulse, even as I pulled back the furious Linghu Ruoxu.

Yet, I hadn’t anticipated that Guo Hao had already slowly straightened up, his gaze fixed on Murong Fan, who watched with a hint of surprise, as he began to walk towards him.

“Fourth Brother, let go!” Linghu Ruoxu whispered to me.

“No, I won’t let go…” I replied, my voice thick with concern. My reason told me that if Yang Laoer couldn’t defeat Murong Fan in his current state, then Guo Hao and Linghu Ruoxu, whose martial arts were only marginally better, wouldn’t stand a chance even together.

“Let go, I need to avenge Second Brother!” he repeated, his voice low.

“Then, I’ll go too!” I suggested, gritting my teeth. I had racked my brain but couldn’t think of a better solution.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Your martial arts are gone; what could you possibly do? Let go! Big Brother and I will be fine!” he said in a deep voice.

Meanwhile, Guo Hao calmly addressed Murong Fan. “Senior Murong, if you please!”

“Oh, what advice do you have, fellow student?” Murong Fan responded politely, still with the girl clinging to his arm.

“Indeed, in that last bout, our Second Brother was in the wrong! However, Senior Murong, you fought him and won, but why did you beat him to such a state?” Guo Hao asked, his eyes narrowing.

“Fists and feet have no eyes. Murong’s martial arts are far from reaching the realm of perfect control. Injuring that student was, regrettably, unavoidable,” Murong Fan replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

“While it’s true that fists and feet have no eyes, people are not sages; who can be without anger or emotion? You’ve beaten our dorm’s Second Brother to this condition. Since he calls me Big Brother, if I don’t get justice for him today, how can I face my dorm brothers again?” Guo Hao’s eyebrows slightly arched as he stared at Murong Fan, enunciating each word with a solemn tone.

****

Afterward, I recounted to Yang Laoer, who lay in the hospital, everything that had transpired after he’d fallen unconscious. Upon hearing this particular part, Yang Laoer remarked with profound regret, “From this, it’s clear that Big Brother is truly too honest; he can’t even hold his own in a verbal spat. Fists and feet have no eyes, but did Murong Fan have eyes? Hmm, if you ask me, he probably only grew a… (beep…)”

At the time, the scoundrel was so pleased with himself that he forgot there were outsiders present. Owing to the girl’s presence, I had to feign a blush and give him a sharp knock, spitting, “Pah! Such foul language! Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at? It serves you right that you can’t find a girlfriend!”

****

“Exactly! If we don’t avenge Second Brother today, what kind of brothers would we be?” Before Murong Fan could react, Linghu Ruoxu had already shouted, channeling his internal energy and gathering strength in his wrist. I felt an invisible force gently prickle my hand, causing me to release him involuntarily.

By the time I looked at him again, the scoundrel had already dashed forward, standing behind Guo Hao, only pausing to quietly utter a single sentence. “Fourth Brother, I’m sorry. Once this is over, I’ll properly apologize to you!”

“Big Brother, Third Brother, I…” I called out, filled with worry. I immediately wanted to rush forward myself, but Big Brother subtly waved his hand behind me and then pointed at Yang Laoer. His meaning was clear: I should stay put, as Second Brother still needed my care.

This predicament, where I was torn between two priorities, left me momentarily at a loss. I couldn’t abandon the unconscious Yang Laoer, yet I was equally worried about Big Brother and Third Brother confronting the “Star-Shifting Young Master,” who ranked fourth among the “Ten Great Experts.”

Fortunately, a crisp sound of porcelain colliding suddenly rang out from the periphery of the crowd, faintly resembling a spoon falling into a bowl. Though exceptionally clear, the sound lingered, its echoes resonating long afterward, instantly revealing the profound internal energy imbued within it.

Everyone turned to look, only to see Senior Sister Xiao Ru gracefully finishing her bowl of black rice porridge, slowly pulling out a tissue to dab her full, petal-like lips.

A moment of silence descended once more. Only after she elegantly placed the tissue on the table did she leisurely speak. “Are you truly intending to ignore what this young lady just said, or am I mistaken?”

These words immediately deflated Murong Fan, who had already shown hints of impatience and anger in his eyes. Frowning, he glanced back and forth between Guo Hao and Linghu Ruoxu before letting out a soft sigh. He cupped his fists once more and said, “Senior Sister Xiao is absolutely right. For these two students, it is better to resolve enmity than to create it. Why don’t we simply cease hostilities and let this matter go?”

His demeanor and actions, though seemingly humble, still carried an underlying arrogance in his words. He offered no explanation for having injured Yang Laoer.

Seeing this, Guo Hao and Linghu Ruoxu both turned sideways, gracefully avoiding his insincere cupped-fist salute. Then, Guo Hao’s clear voice rang out, “It is indeed better to resolve enmity than to create it, but since the grudge has already been formed, we are not ones to shy away from trouble. Senior Murong, since you speak this way, are you willing to apologize to our Second Brother?”

Murong Fan’s eyes flickered at the question. He glanced at the girl beside him and then at Senior Sister Xiao Ru, who sat in the distance, before calmly stating, “This student, you shouldn’t push too hard. The fault for this matter was not with Murong; why should Murong apologize?”

“Indeed, logically, the fault lies with you. However, with brotherhood at stake, my brother and I must, for once, be unreasonable!” Guo Hao replied with equal composure.

“So, aside from fighting, there is no other path?” Murong Fan’s voice remained calm, but his gaze constantly darted towards Senior Sister Xiao Ru. “Senior Sister Xiao, what are your thoughts?”

Senior Sister Xiao Ru slowly rose, her arms crossed. Her bright, spirited eyes, which exuded an air of heroism, landed squarely on Guo Hao and Linghu Ruoxu.

“You two little rascals, do you even know your own capabilities, daring to engage Murong Fan in a fight?” Her crimson lips parted, and a clear voice emerged from the girl who, from a distance, appeared so valiant and resolute.

“Senior Sister is right; we truly have little chance of winning against Senior Murong,” Guo Hao responded without turning his head, his gaze unwavering, lest he lose his imposing aura.

“Since you know you cannot defeat him, what kind of bravado are you two boys displaying?” The Senior Sister’s words now carried a tone of earnest advice.

“Brotherhood, seeking swift vengeance for wrongs—a true man stands between heaven and earth, knowing what not to do and what he must do. Please forgive this junior’s stubbornness, Senior Sister!” Guo Hao’s reply was impassioned and full of fiery spirit, earning cheers from many of the onlookers.

“Big Brother speaks well! Knowing what not to do and what he must do—today, avenging Yang Laoer is something we must do!” Linghu Ruoxu immediately echoed. “Murong, enough with the nonsense. Show us your moves!”